One of the things I hear from brides when they’re first looking for a wedding makeup artist is “I’ve never done this before, so I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do.” This is true! Most brides have never planned a wedding and many have never hired a professional makeup artist. It can be confusing and overwhelming! I am writing this as an industry expert, to help guide all brides-to-be through the process and to make it as easy and stress-free as possible.

“How do I find makeup artists in my area?”

The first step is to find artists serving your area and make a list of the ones you’d like to research. Referrals from your venue, wedding planner or photographer are worth their weight in GOLD. They do weddings all the time, have worked with hundreds of other vendors, and know who’s good. Most venues and planners have a “Recommended Vendor List” that they are happy to hand out to their booked brides. Photographers are always happy to make recommendations for reputable and talented makeup artists because the great ones make your job easier. (Less Photoshop and editing time? Oh yeah!) Friends who have recently married can also be a good source of referrals. Ask them who they used and if they would use them again. And of course, the internet has made this task much easier than in years past, and a simple internet search for “makeup artists in (insert city here)” should bring up a list of them. So now you have some potential artists chosen…

“How do I choose the right makeup artist for me?”

There are 5 key things to consider when making this decision.

1. Your website and portfolio – Reputable bridal makeup artists will have a professional-looking website that displays images of their work. Beware of websites that use stock images or heavily edited photos. Also, keep in mind that a bad-taste website is often a sign of bad taste, and most likely bad taste in makeup. Online portfolios should showcase a variety of different looks, from barely-there natural makeup to more dramatic evening looks. If only one makeup look is listed on their website, it’s most likely the only look they know how to do, and it’s the look you and everyone in your bridal party will get.
2. Style – Does the makeup depicted on the makeup artist’s website represent the style of makeup you are looking for? If you like romantic makeup looks paired with dewy skin, you’ll want to stay away from artists who prefer heavy contouring, Instagram-type looks. And vice versa: if you like Kim Kardashian’s heavier makeup style, then artists who exhibit more natural makeup styles will not be the right choice for you.
3. Reviews – There are so many places online for consumers to leave and find reviews. Use them, use them! For wedding vendors, sites like The Knot, WeddingWire, and Yelp are fantastic resources. Check out reviews of each makeup artist you’re considering, but keep a few things in mind. First of all, it is getting easier for companies to create fake reviews for themselves. If you’re going through their reviews and you see dozens of 5-star reviews in a few days, that company probably paid people to leave those reviews for them. This is usually done to counter previous negative reviews as it increases your overall rating. I recommend searching business reviews for “lowest rating” whenever possible. Second, it is normal for a business to have one or two reviews less than 5 stars. Everyone is different and people appreciate different things. 3 stars below value could mean that the customer didn’t value her amazing $100 makeup application as much as she valued her $2000 pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. Also, bad reviews can sometimes be left in retaliation if a customer was unhappy about not getting their way on something. I wouldn’t worry about one or two less than perfect reviews, but if you see a significant number of them, that should be cause for concern.
4. Personality and Connection – Something that many people do not give much importance to is the personality of a makeup artist and the personal connection you have with him. Are his makeup skills amazing? Fantastic! Isn’t his personality so golden? It’s more important than you think. You will spend hours with this artist on one of the most important days of your life. You must like them and want to have them close. Whether by email, phone, or in person, make sure this makeup artist makes you feel good! Older reviews can be great for this. Look for key phrases like “I felt like I’ve known her forever!” or “she was so calming and reassuring during such a stressful time.” Some people are just “people” by nature. Those are the ones you’ll want to hire.
5. Price – The price is something that I have to mention, because it can be a very important deciding factor for many brides. You’ll want to choose a makeup artist that fits your wedding budget, but keep in mind that in this regard, you really do get what you pay for. Makeup artists at the higher end of the price scale are there for a reason: they use high-quality products, have paid for special training, practice proper sanitation (all those disposables and disinfectants can be expensive!), and have skills and experience that lower-priced performers generally can’t match. To achieve the perfect bridal look you’ve envisioned, plus flawless wedding photos, choose an artist at the top of your price range.

“I already know who I want to hire, now what?”

The first step, if you haven’t already done so, is to confirm availability with the makeup artist of your choice. The best artists book up to a year and a half in advance. That doesn’t mean your first artist choice doesn’t have your date available if it’s closer, but it’s best to get in touch as soon as possible. (Those wedding schedules that say book your hair and makeup two months before your wedding? So wrong!)

Once availability is confirmed, you will need to determine if you want to book your artist right away to reserve your date with them or schedule a tryout prior to booking. Please note that scheduling a fitting with your artist prior to booking will not guarantee your date will still be available. Most brides book their dates first and schedule a fitting closer to their wedding, and the early bird takes the worm. Of course, if any part of you is unsure about your decision to hire a particular makeup artist, then a trial before booking is highly recommended. In this situation, I recommend you make one as soon as possible to avoid the possibility that your date will be booked by another girlfriend. For everyone else, save that date!! If all 5 of the previous qualifiers have passed, that’s the magic combination.